“Indeed it is. After all, what gentleman of quality would want a woman like that? Gentlemen don’t like their love interests to have such disgrace in their lives.”
“You are correct. However,” she touched his chest, “it’s probably something I would have done, too. Nobody hurts me like that and gets away with it. Revenge is sweet, is it not?”
After she said it, she held her breath. Silently, she cursed her own inability to hold her tongue instead of voicing her thoughts before thinking them through. He would definitely think poorly of her now.
But instead of seeing accusation in his gaze, his eyes widened and soon a loud laugh followed. “Oh, Katrina.” He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “What a gem you are. Your thoughts of revenge are just as wicked as mine.”
She laughed. “They certainly are. That’s my temper showing. I’m truly trying to work on that flaw.” She stroked the side of his face. “I’m sorry you still hurt from what that evil woman did to you. If I could take away your pain, I would—”
Before she could say anymore, his mouth swooped down and covered her in a searing kiss. Her heart slammed against her ribs and for a moment, she lost her breath. Heat from his passionate kiss poured through her, making her limbs weak.
Excitement rushed through her like never before. He was kissing her! Actually kissing her, even though he knew her background.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, mainly to hold herself up, but there was no way she would swoon due to his tight embrace. He kissed her like a man starved for love, the same way she responded to him. For indeed, she was starving. There wasn’t anything that she wanted more than his love and acceptance.
Happiness overwhelmed her and she relaxed in his arms. She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding his head to hers as she answered his eager kisses. Love bloomed deeper inside her chest, and she didn’t want to stop it this time.
But she must. She hadn’t told him about her younger years of stealing.
As hard as she could, she tried to build the wall around her heart once again. When she told him the truth, he would not want her. In his very own words he’d said about Eva,what gentleman of quality would want a woman like that?If Felix’s friends and family ever discovered Katrina’s past, she would bring shame upon him. She couldn’t bear that kind of rejection.
But she didn’t want to stop the kiss. Never had she felt such contentment. But she had to end it before her heart became anymore involved. He would never want a woman with her upbringing. They were literally from two different worlds and could never be together.
Turning her head, she broke the kiss. “We should return to camp. It’s getting too dark to be out here without a light.”
He kissed her forehead. “You are correct, my dear. When I kiss you, time seems to stand still.” He stroked her cheek. “But then you seem to do that to me quite a bit lately.”
Her heart clenched, wishing he wouldn’t say such sweet things to her when she knew he’d take those words back soon.
“Let’s return to the others so I can help with the meal.”
“As you wish.”
He took hold of her hand and walked them back to the camp. Some of the men grinned at them, but thankfully didn’t say a word. Felix seemed to be in a more chipper mood, and it nearly killed her to see him this way when she knew that it wouldn’t last.
Oh, Lord! Give me strength to endure the pain that would eventually come upon me when I tell him about my past.
